Jonathan Meath
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Meath is an award–winning American
TV producer based in Boston who is notable for earning numerous Emmy nominations and the coveted George Foster Peabody Award in 1993. He is known for his commitment to children's educational television. He was Senior Producer of the TV game show
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. He was a producer of many programs including Zoom
and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
. He co-founded a production company called Andanzura. In addition, he has a dual career as a professional Santa
, and was the subject of articles in the Boston Herald
and Boston Globe, and appeared on the front cover of Boston Magazine
as Father Christmas, and he was interviewed on National Public Radio. He's been dubbed America's Top Santa.
through fourth grade. He attended Phillips Academy
in Andover
and graduated in 1974 with the school's first co–educational class. His classmates included jazz
musician Bill Cunliffe
, software executive Peter Currie
, painter Julian Hatton
, writer Nate Lee
, and sculptor Gar Waterman
. As a student he directed his friend and fellow classmate Dana Delany
in a video for a film course taught by Steve Marx. He was good friends with editor Sara Nelson
and restaurateur Priscilla Martel
, also classmates. He recalled later that "Andover encouraged me to develop my skills as a creative individual ... The teachers understood that creative arts are also an intellectual pursuit." He graduated from New York University
in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree regarding film and television from the Tisch School where he was an honors scholar.
, Business Times
, The Creative Establishment, MTV Networks
and Greenwood Productions in various capacities as a creative writer and producer. During 1996–1998, he produced twenty shows for the Jim Henson Company called The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
where he worked on blue–screen production technology and digital recording. Also during the 1990s, he worked for PBS
as a producer for the TV game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
where he produced 295 half–hour shows as well as Zoom
where he produced 80 shows. In addition, he contributed to the Carmen Sandiego franchise as Director for the video games Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? and Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time. From 2000–2001, he was creative director for a website TimeTo.com where he supervised content and over fifty designers. From 2001–2002, he was an Executive Producer for Discovery Networks supervising and producing 52 episodes of Paz the Penguin with an international team in the U.K.
and U.S.
. Paz was sold and distributed worldwide and in the U.S. was featured on the Discovery Kids Channel in their Ready, Set, Learn block. In 2003, he formed his own consulting firm MeathMedia and worked on projects involving animated characters such as The Peetnicks of Clutterbuck Valley (an online website). In 2009, he co–founded Andanzura, a media development and production company.
Meath studied at the International School of Santa Claus and earned the degree Master of Santa Claus in 2006. He joined and actively participates in associations such as the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, the Fraternity of International Real Bearded Santas, and is a ClausNet Member in "good standing". He began being a "full–time Santa" making appearances around Massachusetts
and New Hampshire
in parades, private parties, corporate parties, as well as the role of sitting "in the big chair" at retail stores to take pictures with children. He described his approach to the character:
Meath was an extra in the 2008 movie Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. He has been the subject of articles in the Kennebunk Post, Boston Herald
, Boston Globe, and Cambridge Chronicle
. He was featured in an album in 2007. In addition, he is a professional actor and singer, and often sings for events to promote businesses or charities. He appeared with The Boston Pops for ten shows during the 2008 and 2009 seasons and for three shows with the Beantown Swing Orchestra
in 2007. He performed at parades and tree lightings as well as the Harvard Square Parade. In 2009, Meath appeared in a thirty–second television commercial spot for the Boston Red Sox
baseball team.
, CT
, and the Dana–Farber Children's Clinic (2009). As Santa, he visited children who are cancer patients in hospitals. In addition, he supports the non–profit performing group Revels
and sung as a tenor
on two of their CD albums.
and the great great great grandson of railroad industrialist John Murray Forbes
. Meath's daughter, Amelia Randall Meath, is a member of the alternative folk band Mountain Man
.
Additional source for awards: Phillips Academy website
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
TV producer based in Boston who is notable for earning numerous Emmy nominations and the coveted George Foster Peabody Award in 1993. He is known for his commitment to children's educational television. He was Senior Producer of the TV game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. He was a producer of many programs including Zoom
Zoom (1999 TV series)
ZOOM is an American educational television series, created almost entirely by children, which aired on Public Broadcasting Service originally from January 4, 1999 to June 24, 2005. It was a remake of a 1972 TV series by the same name. Both versions were produced by WGBH-TV in Boston...
and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is an American live-action/puppet television series based on characters created by Dr. Seuss, produced by Jim Henson Productions. It aired for two seasons on the Nick Jr. Block on Nickelodeon...
. He co-founded a production company called Andanzura. In addition, he has a dual career as a professional Santa
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
, and was the subject of articles in the Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
and Boston Globe, and appeared on the front cover of Boston Magazine
Boston magazine
Boston is a monthly magazine concerning life in the Greater Boston area and has been in publication for more than 40 years.-About the magazine:The magazine is self-described as:...
as Father Christmas, and he was interviewed on National Public Radio. He's been dubbed America's Top Santa.
Early life
Meath was born in 1955 and attended the Friends School of BaltimoreFriends School of Baltimore
Friends School of Baltimore is a private Quaker school in Baltimore, serving students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.-History:It is the oldest private school in Baltimore, founded in 1784 by members of the Religious Society of Friends . Classes were first held in the Aisquith Street...
through fourth grade. He attended Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
in Andover
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
and graduated in 1974 with the school's first co–educational class. His classmates included jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician Bill Cunliffe
Bill Cunliffe
Bill Cunliffe is an American jazz pianist and composer based in Los Angeles He has been described by The New York Times as being in the "modern jazz mainstream" and as an "accomplished pianist and composer." Ernie Rideout of Keyboard Magazine described Cunliffe's playing as "inventive, melodic,...
, software executive Peter Currie
Peter Currie
Peter L. S. Currie is a business executive notable for being the chief financial officer for Netscape during the 1990s. Currie was described by Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Vascellaro as one of the "Silicon Valley wise men". He advised Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about business matters in...
, painter Julian Hatton
Julian Hatton
Julian Burroughs Hatton III is an American landscape abstract artist from New York City whose paintings have appeared in galleries in the United States and France. The New York Times described his painting style as "vibrant, playful, semi-abstract landscapes" while New York Sun art critic John...
, writer Nate Lee
Nate Lee
Nate Lee is an American author and former senior editor at Chicago's Newcity weekly magazine who advocated passionately for live theater. At Newcity, Lee wrote features, a weekly column called Urbanitie, theatre and film reviews as well as stories on architecture and historic preservation, and at...
, and sculptor Gar Waterman
Gar Waterman
Gar Waterman is an award–winning sculptor based in New Haven in Connecticut who is notable for large public arts projects which beautify public places as well as creations which mimic sealife. He works in marble, stone, bronze, wood, and sometimes glass. Some of his sculptures resemble "giant...
. As a student he directed his friend and fellow classmate Dana Delany
Dana Delany
Dana Welles Delany is an American film, stage, and television actress, producer, host and health activist.After various roles in the early career, Delany garnered her first leading role in 1987 in the short-lived NBC sitcom Sweet Surrender and achieved wider fame in 1988–1991 as Colleen McMurphy...
in a video for a film course taught by Steve Marx. He was good friends with editor Sara Nelson
Sara Nelson
Sara Nelson is an American publishing industry figure who is an editor and book reviewer and consultant and columnist and who is currently the book editor at Oprah's O Magazine. Nelson is notable for having been editor in chief at the book industry's chief trade publication Publishers Weekly from...
and restaurateur Priscilla Martel
Priscilla Martel
Priscilla Martel is an award–winning American chef, food writer, and consultant notable for desserts, baking, pastries and fireplace-cooked meals. Her recipes appear in magazines such as Food & Wine. She is a contributing writer at Flavor and the Menu Magazine. She teaches and has written...
, also classmates. He recalled later that "Andover encouraged me to develop my skills as a creative individual ... The teachers understood that creative arts are also an intellectual pursuit." He graduated from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
degree regarding film and television from the Tisch School where he was an honors scholar.
Television production
During the 1980s Meath worked at CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, Business Times
Business Times
The Business Times, also known as the BT, is the name of two financial newspapers published in South-east Asia:*Business Times *Business Times...
, The Creative Establishment, MTV Networks
MTV Networks
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States...
and Greenwood Productions in various capacities as a creative writer and producer. During 1996–1998, he produced twenty shows for the Jim Henson Company called The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is an American live-action/puppet television series based on characters created by Dr. Seuss, produced by Jim Henson Productions. It aired for two seasons on the Nick Jr. Block on Nickelodeon...
where he worked on blue–screen production technology and digital recording. Also during the 1990s, he worked for PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
as a producer for the TV game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? is the title of several edutainment computer games in the Carmen Sandiego series that teach geography. The World games, often marketed as the flagship products of the Carmen series, were created by Brøderbund Software from 1985 to 1996 with another version...
where he produced 295 half–hour shows as well as Zoom
Zoom (1999 TV series)
ZOOM is an American educational television series, created almost entirely by children, which aired on Public Broadcasting Service originally from January 4, 1999 to June 24, 2005. It was a remake of a 1972 TV series by the same name. Both versions were produced by WGBH-TV in Boston...
where he produced 80 shows. In addition, he contributed to the Carmen Sandiego franchise as Director for the video games Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? and Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time. From 2000–2001, he was creative director for a website TimeTo.com where he supervised content and over fifty designers. From 2001–2002, he was an Executive Producer for Discovery Networks supervising and producing 52 episodes of Paz the Penguin with an international team in the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Paz was sold and distributed worldwide and in the U.S. was featured on the Discovery Kids Channel in their Ready, Set, Learn block. In 2003, he formed his own consulting firm MeathMedia and worked on projects involving animated characters such as The Peetnicks of Clutterbuck Valley (an online website). In 2009, he co–founded Andanzura, a media development and production company.
Santa Claus as a career
Meath, as he got older and his hair got whiter, noticed that children sometimes called him Santa. He is slightly overweight – he described himself as an organic Santa – and his wife bought him a red suit. He said in 2008:Meath studied at the International School of Santa Claus and earned the degree Master of Santa Claus in 2006. He joined and actively participates in associations such as the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas, the Fraternity of International Real Bearded Santas, and is a ClausNet Member in "good standing". He began being a "full–time Santa" making appearances around Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
in parades, private parties, corporate parties, as well as the role of sitting "in the big chair" at retail stores to take pictures with children. He described his approach to the character:
Meath was an extra in the 2008 movie Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. He has been the subject of articles in the Kennebunk Post, Boston Herald
Boston Herald
The Boston Herald is a daily newspaper that serves Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and its surrounding area. It was started in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States...
, Boston Globe, and Cambridge Chronicle
Cambridge Chronicle
The Cambridge Chronicle is a weekly newspaper that serves Cambridge, Massachusetts. The newspaper was founded by Andrew Reid in May 1846 and is the oldest surviving weekly newspaper in the United States...
. He was featured in an album in 2007. In addition, he is a professional actor and singer, and often sings for events to promote businesses or charities. He appeared with The Boston Pops for ten shows during the 2008 and 2009 seasons and for three shows with the Beantown Swing Orchestra
Beantown Swing Orchestra
The Beantown Swing Orchestra is a Boston-based 18-piece big band that was formed in 2006 by Frank Hsieh. Initially specializing in performing the classic dance music from the Swing Era, the band has since expanded its repertoire to include music from the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the...
in 2007. He performed at parades and tree lightings as well as the Harvard Square Parade. In 2009, Meath appeared in a thirty–second television commercial spot for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
baseball team.
Charity work
Meath has helped promote charity events such as the Red Sox's "Jimmy Fund Fundraiser" (2008), the Nature Center in New CanaanNew Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
, CT
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, and the Dana–Farber Children's Clinic (2009). As Santa, he visited children who are cancer patients in hospitals. In addition, he supports the non–profit performing group Revels
Revels
Revels is a contemporary series of American seasonal stage performances, initially given at Christmas time as the Christmas Revels at Town Hall in New York City in 1957, which involve singing, dancing, recitals, theatrics , and usually some audience participation, all appropriate to the season...
and sung as a tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
on two of their CD albums.
Family
Meath has two children and one grandchild and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Meath's father was Dr. James A. Meath; his mother was activist and historian Mary Stewart Hewitt. He is the great great grandson of businessman and sportsman John Malcolm ForbesJohn Malcolm Forbes
John Malcolm Forbes was a businessman and sportsman. He was born in Milton, Massachusetts in 1847 into the wealthy Forbes family of Boston. In addition, he was highly regarded as a yachtsman and horseman.-Horses:...
and the great great great grandson of railroad industrialist John Murray Forbes
John Murray Forbes
John Murray Forbes was an American railroad magnate, merchant, philanthropist and abolitionist. He was president of both the Michigan Central railroad and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in the 1850s....
. Meath's daughter, Amelia Randall Meath, is a member of the alternative folk band Mountain Man
Mountain Man (music group)
Mountain Man is an American singing trio of young women described as indie folk rock with a traditional Appalachian-type folk sound. They are notable for earning critical acclaim from numerous music critics...
.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Won | Carnegie Medal Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video The Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video was named in honor of nineteenth-century American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It honors the producer of the most outstanding video production for children... |
Excellence in children's videos | FableVision's The Dot |
| 2005 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... (daytime) |
Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series | Paz |
| 2001 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... (daytime) |
Outstanding Children's Series | Zoom |
| 2000 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... (daytime) |
Outstanding Children's Series | Zoom |
| 1997 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Outstanding Children's Program | |
| 1997 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... |
Outstanding Children's Program | The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss is an American live-action/puppet television series based on characters created by Dr. Seuss, produced by Jim Henson Productions. It aired for two seasons on the Nick Jr. Block on Nickelodeon... |
| 1996 | Nominated | Emmy Emmy Award An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various... (daytime) |
Outstanding Children's Series | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
| 1993 | Won | George Foster Peabody Award | Excellence for overall show | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
Additional source for awards: Phillips Academy website